Assembly for cleaning, packing, storing, and preserving paint applicators



y 6, 1968 w. M. FLOOK, JR. ET AL 3,392,417

ASSEMBLY FOR CLEANING, PACKING, STORING,

AND PRESERVING PAINT APPLICATORS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 26, 1966July 16, 1968 w. M. FLOOK, JR. ET AL 3,392,417

ASSEMBLY FOR CLEANING, PACKING, STORING, I AND PRESERVING PAINTAPPLICATORS Filed April 26, 1966 2 SheetsSheet 2 United States Patent 01ice 3,392,417 Patented July 16, 1968 ASSEMBLY FOR CLEANING, PACKING,STORING, AND PRESERVING PAINT APPLICATORS William M. Flook, J12,Greenspring Road, Greenville, Del. 19807, and George Barnhill III, 911Overbrook Road, Wilmington, Del. 19807 Filed Apr. 26, 1966, Ser. No.545,440 5 Claims. (Cl. 15-257.05)

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Assembly for cleaning, packing, storing, andpreserving paint applicators having a container with a bottom and sidewalls that extend from the bottom and define an opening in thecontainer. A paint applicator has closeoff means to close the containeropening and this means is positioned on the applicator so that theapplicator is positioned a predetermined distance from the bottom of thecontainer.

This invention relates to an assembly for cleaning, packing, storing,and preserving paint applicators. such as paint brushes, and moreparticularly to an assembly comprising a container adapted to hold apaint cleaning fluid and a closure for the container adapted to positionthe lower end of a paint applying device a predetermined distance fromthe container bottom.

Prior to the present invention, numerous assemblies have been proposedfor cleaning, packing and storing paint applicators, such as brushes,rollers, and the like, but none have been found completely satisfactoryfor normal use such as home use. For the most part the heretoforeavailable assemblies are characterized by their cumbersome and bulkynature, and are usually somewhat difficult to use since they areparticularly geared to large scale cleaning operations as of the typerequired by professional painters.

On the other hand non-professional painters, such as the averagehomeowner, do not require such elaborate assemblies because theirpainting needs are limited to relatively few painting implements. Theprevious assemblies are also undesirable from an economic standpointsince they are expensive to manufacture. As a result, nonprofessionalpainters have resorted to makeshift arrangements which for the most partinadequately clean and store their painting devices.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide asimple, dependable, reusable, rugged and economical assembly forcleaning and preserving paint applicators.

Another object of this invention is to provide a paint applicatorstoring assembly which is both inexpensive and easy to use and whichcomprises relatively few parts.

Still another object of the instant invention is to provide a paintapplicator storage assembly which serves as a. shipping container andcounter display for new applicators.

In accordance with the present invention, an assembly is provided forpacking, storing, cleaning, and preserving paint applicators comprisinga container for holding cleaning solvent and a closure member adapted toclose and seal the container. The container may include a substantiallyhorizontal bottom and upright side walls'having a marginal portion whichdefines the container opening. The closure member cooperates with themarginal portion of the container to form a tight seal when the closuremember covers the opening.

The closure may include a central aperture dimensioned to receive apaint applying implement such as a paint brush. A given portion of theimplement can be secured to the closure member at the aperture so as toposition the lower end of the implement a predetermined distance fromthe bottom of the container when the closure member is in position onthe container.

The closure can be permanently attached to the handle portion of theapplicator by adhesive or it can be held in place on the handle byfriction. Regardless of the method of attachment, the closure is securedto the paint applicator so that the lower end portion of the applicatoris spaced from the bottom of the container when the closure seals offthe container. Such an arrangement permits the paint applicator to bepositioned in the container of paint solvent in a manner which preventsit from contacting the sediment Which usually accumulates at the bottomof the container. This arrangement also prevents deformation of thepaint brush bristles since the bristles hang freely in the container.The closure also functions to prevent loss of the cleaning solvent byevaporation and spillage should the container be inadvertentlyoverturned. Moreover, the closure maintains the handle portion of thepaint applicator free from paint, for instance when painting overheadsurfaces, which might otherwise flow thereon from the paint applyingportion of the applicator.

The container and closure assembly of the present invention alsofunctions as a shipping package to store and protect a paint applicatorduring shipment from the manufacturer to the retailer. Thereafter, theassembly serves as a convenient counter display and reconditioning unitfor cleaning and preserving paint applicators. The container may includea pair of adjacent side walls that extend beyond the opening in theupper portion of the container which side walls provide a guide surfaceagainst which the applicator may slide to facilitate insertion of theapplicator into the container opening.

Novel features and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent to one skilled in the art from the following description inconjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein similar referencecharacters refer to similar parts and in which:

FIGURE 1 is an elevation of an assembly according to the presentinvention with the paint applicator in a position above the solventcontainer;

FIGURE 2 is a section of the assembly of FIGURE 1 with the variouscomponents in assembled or closed relationship;

FIGURE 3 is a section taken on line 3-3 of FIG- URE 1;

FIGURE 4 is a section of another embodiment according to the presentinvention;

FIGURE 5 is a section of another embodiment according to the presentinvention;

FIGURE 6 is a top view of still another embodiment according to thepresent invention;

FIGURE 7 is a section taken on line 7-7 of FIG- URE 6;

FIGURE 8 is a perspective of a tray having compartments contoured toaccommodate a plurality of assemblies according to this invention;

FIGURE 9 is an elevation of another embodiment of the present inventionwith the paint applicator in a position above the solvent container;

FIGURE 10 is an elevation of the assembly of FIG- URE 9 in assembledrelationship; and

FIGURE 11 is a section taken on line 11-11 of FIG- URE 10.

While it will be appreciated that the advantages of this inventionpertain to packing, cleaning, storing and preserving various types ofpaint applying devices, such as brushes, rollers, and the like, theinvention is particularly applicable to paint brushes. Accordingly, theinvention for clarity and convenience is disclosed herein with referenceto the packing, cleaning and storing of paint brushes only but with theunderstanding that such disclosure in no way amounts to an exclusiveenvironment for the use of this invention.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, generally represents anassembly for packing, cleaning, storing, and preserving a paint brush12. The paint brush is of standard design and includes a handle portion14 and a paint applying portion or brush bristles 16. The bristles maybe secured to the handle portion by a collar or ferrule 18 constructedof metal or any suitable ,material which is simply fastened to thehandle b-y tacks 20, for example, as is well known.

The assembly 10 of the present invention includes a container 22 forholding cleaning fluid such as paint solvent 24 and may be made of atransparent, solventresistant plastic to permit the color and the levelof the solvent to be seen easily. The container comprises asubstantially horizontal bottom 26 which may be rectangular inconfiguration although other configurations are also suitable. Uprightside walls such as 28 are connected at their lower end portions 30 tothe outer boundary of the bottom section. The side walls extend upwardlyto a marginal portion 32 which defines the opening 34 of the container.The marginal portion includes a bead 36 which functions to strengthenthe container side Walls and serves to seal the container, as explainedmore fully below.

A closure 38 having a shape corresponding to the opening 34 of thecontainer is provided to close the container to protect the brushbristles and prevent the paint solvent 24 from evaporating or spilling.The closure includes a groove-like depression 40 adjacent the outerboundary of the member which opens downwardly and cooperates with thebead 36 to form a snap-fit between the container and the closure.

The closure 38 also includes a central aperture 42 which may bedimensioned to receive any given portion of the paint brush 12. Thisportion is predetermined so that the outer tips of the brush bristles 16are positioned a sufficient distance away from the bottom 26 of thesolvent container 22 when the container closure is positioned asillustrated in FIGURE 2. This enables the bristles to hang freely in thecontainer out of contact with the container bottom and the sediment 44which usually accumulates there when cleaning the brush. Moreover, suchan arrangement prevents deformation of the brush bristles whichdeformation might otherwise occur if the bristles were in contact withthe container. The paint brush 12 may be secured to the closure by anadhesive material 46 or other suitable means such as nail-likefasteners, for example. Moreover, the closure 38 can be integrallymolded with the handle portion 14 of the paint brush it the handleportion is constructed of a molded material.

Another embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 4.This assembly includes a container 50 adapted to hold paint solvent 52.The container may be fabricated from transparent solvent-resistantmaterial to enable the color and the level of solvent to be readilydetermined. The container comprises a bottom 54 and upright side walls56 connected at their lower end portions to the outer boundary of thebottom section. The side walls extend upwardly to a marginal portion 58which defines'the opening 60 of the container. An internal annulargroove 62 in the marginal portion is provided to cooperate with asuitable closure to seal the container, as described below.

A closure 64 on the handle portion 66 of the paint brush 68 is adaptedto cooperate with the container to seal the opening 60. The closurecomprises an annular bead 70 having a shape corresponding to the opening60 and is adapted to snap into the internal groove 62 in the marginalportion of the container. Although the illustrated closure 64 is formedon the ferrule 72 which secures the bristles 74 to the handle 66 of theapplicator,

it may be formed as an integral part of the handle or constructed as aseparate component secured to the handle by adhesive or friction, forexample.

The closure 64 illustrated in FIG. 4 is dimensioned to receive apredetermined portion of the handle 66 so as to maintain the bristles 74in a raised position above the bottom of the container when the closureseals the container opening. Such an arrangement protects the bristlesand prevents loss of the solvent by evaporation and spillage should thecontainer be inadvertently overturned.

A container closure configured to cooperate with a cylindrical containerof cleaning fluid such as a mason jar 82 is illustrated in FIG. 5. Anaperture 84 in the closure member is arranged to surround the narrowportion 86 of a paint brush handle 88 and the closure may be held inplace on the handle by friction or adhesive. The closure comprises ahorizontally disposed covering portion which may be fabricated from asolvent-resistant elastomer such as neoprene. In use, the coveringportion 90 is positioned over the opening of the mason jar 82 and asecuring ring 92 is threaded onto the jar as is well known. As with thepreviously described closures, the closure 80 functions to support thebristle portion of a paint brush out of contact with the bottom of asolvent container and serves to prevent loss of the solvent byevaporation and spillage.

Another embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIGURES 6and 7. This arrangement includes a container closure having a centralaperture 102 which surrounds the handle portion 104 of a paint brush106. The closure may be made from a solventresistant elastomer, such asneoprene, and can be secured at the aperture 102 to the handle portionby friction, adhesive or other well-known fastening arrangements so thatthe member supports the bristles 108 of the paint brush 106 in aposition above the bottom of a container of paint solvent when the brushis inserted therein for cleaning.

The closure 100 includes a substantially planar section 110 extendinglaterally outward from the handle 104 adapted to cover the opening of acontainer of cleaning fiuid. A flange section 112 extending downwardlyfrom the outer boundary of the planar section in the direction of thebrush bristles 108 is provided to snugly engage the outer surface of asuitable solvent container. Such engagement prevents loss of the solventby evaporation and spillage should the container be inadvertentlyoverturned in the same manner as the arrangement described above inconjunction with the other embodiments of this invention.

Each of the container closure members of the present invention alsooperates to retard the flow of paint onto the handle portion of thepaint brush to which it is secured. As is well known, during a portionof the paint applying stroke the bristles of a paint brush arepositioned above the handle thereby causing excess paint on the bristlesto flow downwardly onto the handle. This flow is especially evident whenpainting an overhead surface such as a ceiling. The container closuresof this invention prevent excess paint on the bristles from reaching thehandles since they act as barriers in the path of paint flow.

FIGURE 8 shows a tray according to the instant invention having dividers122 which separate the tray into a series of compartments 124 contouredto accommodate a plurality of cleaning assemblies such as assembly 10illustrated in FIGURE 1.

FIGURES 9-11 show another embodiment of the present invention whichincludes a container adapted to hold paint solvent 132. The containermay be fabricated from transparent solvent-resistant material such aspolyethylene, for example, to enable the color and the level of solventto be easily determined in the same manner as described above inconjunction with the other containers. The container may comprise abottom 134 and upright side walls 136 which extend from the bottom andwhich define an opening 138 in the upper portion of the container. Oneof the side walls may be provided with a liquid level line 140 so thatsolvent may be filled to an appropriate level. A pair of adjacent sidewalls extend beyond the opening 138 at 142 to provide a guide surfacefor the paint applicator 144 so that the bristles 146 of the applicatorcan easily be inserted into the container opening. One of the extendedside walls can be provided with an aperture 148 to facilitate storage ofthe assembled arrangement as by hanging it on an appropriatelydimensioned peg or nail for example.

The paint applicator 144 includes a container closure 150 positioned onthe handle portion 152 of the applicator so that the ends of thebristles 146 are spaced away from the container bottom when theapplicator and container are assembled. Although other configurationsare also suitable, the closure 150 has a pair of adjacent sides 154 thatare substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the paintapplicator. As shown in FIGURE 11, the sides 154 of the closure engagethe extended side walls of the container when the applicator is insertedtherein. The remaining sides 156 of the closure may be beveled so thatthey extend laterally inward in the direction of the bristles of theapplicator to enable the closure to tightly seal the opening 138 of thecontainer when the applicator and container are assembled as in FIGURE11 While the above described embodiments constitute the preferred modeof practicing this invention, other embodiments may be resorted towithin the scope of the actual invention which is claimed as follows.

What is claimed is:

1. An assembly for cleaning, packing, storing and preserving paintapplicators comprising a paint applicator and a container adapted toreceive the applicator, the

container including a bottom, and side walls defining an opening in theupper portion of the container, an applicator guide surface extendingupwardly from the container opening which surface extends only partiallyaround the opening, and means on the applicator for closing off thecontainer opening, the close-01f means being so positioned on theapplicator whereby the applicator remains a predetermined distance fromthe bottom of the container when the means closes off the opening.

2. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the applicator guide surface extendsaround approximately one-half the periphery of the container opening.

3. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the applicator guide surface is anintegral extension of the container side walls.

4. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the applicator guide surface isdisposed in two intersecting planes.

5. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the close-01f means includessubstantially planar and beveled side portions adapted to engage thecontainer side walls.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,086,676 2/ 1914 Linscott 15-6111,359,650 11/1920 Amis 206151 1,959,441 5/1934 Oscar 15517 2,448,6039/1948 Kevin et al. 15-517 2,633,845 4/ 1953 Peretti 15-5 17 3,009,18911/ 1961 Pappas 15-517 3,157,905 11/1964 Levy 15-517 598,474 2/ 1898Daniels 15-5 17 XR CHARLES A WILLMUTH, Primary Examiner.

ROBERT 1. SMITH, Examiner.

